Dispensing mechanism for vending machines



Jan. 6.1925- 7 1,521,986

c. D. BEAVER DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed Nov. 8, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I gm mantel I]. Beaver 61cm WRAP c. D. BEAVER DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed Nov- 8, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 alumina} i atented Jan. 6, i925.

rrE s taint CLAYTON D. BEAVER, O'F \VAHOO, NEBRASKA.

DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES.

Application filed November 8, 1923.

T aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAYTON D. BEAVER,

a citizen of the United States, residing at l/Vahoo, in the county of Saunders and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dispensing Mechanism for Vending Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in 0 vending machines adapted for use in connection with the dispensing of liquids.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a vending machine, particularly well adapted for use in connection with the dispensing of beverages, such as lemon ade, root-beer, sarsaparilla, or the like, preferably being coin operated after the manner illustratedin my co-pending application Serial No. 591,129, filed September 28, 1922.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a relatively simple and compact liquid vending machine which embodies a novel arrangement of dispensing apparatus to effectively dispense the desired liquid in proper and predetermined quantities.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a liquid dispensing apparatus of the above mentioned character which is compact in arrangement, presenting a symmetrical and neat exterior appearance.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel valve operating mechanism for the dispensing apparatus, which will insure the dispensing of the proper amount of liquid; the parts of the dispensing mechanism being so detachably arranged that they may be relatively disassembled to permit inspection and sterilization thereof.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of the improved vending machine, showing certain novel structural features of the dispensing apparatus.

Serial No. 673,579.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the lower portion of the improved vending machine.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken through the dispensing mechanism of the improved vending machine.

Figure f is a'fragmentary cross sectional view of the valve operating mechanism of the improved dispensing mechanism, showing the same in position to permit entrance of liquid into the dispensing compartment.

Figure 5 is a View showing the parts illustrated in Figure 4, however, the valve arrangement being so set as to permitdrain of liquid from the dispensing compartment.

Figure 6 isa fragmentary view showing more particularly the gearing arrangement used in connection with the operation of the dispensing mechanism. 1

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown but the preferred embodiment of this invention the letter A may generally designate the improved vending machine, which embodies a supply container B; supporting cabinet C; and dispensing mechanism D. f 7

The container B preferably includes a substantially cylindrical shaped body 10,

which may be of metal and simulating some- -what the ordlnary barrel or hogshead.

Hoops or bands 11 may be riveted or otherwise secured. to the outer circumference of the body 10 to provide aneat appearing supply container, although if the container is made of wooden stays, these hoops will perform the ordinary function of reinforcing the same. A closure lid 12 is preferably hingedly connected, as at 13, to the top of the container B, having a hasp 14; for cooperation therewithto receive a padlock or similar locking device 16. The floor 17 of the container B is preferably of a type which converges toward the center thereof wherein a central opening 18 is provided.

. The cabinet C is preferably of polygonal shaped formatiomincluding the top plat form 20 upon which the supply container B rests. This platform 20 has a suitable opening therein so that the bottom 17 of the container B extends into the chamber '21 of the be imposed thereon incident to support of the container B. As a means of access to the interior 21 of the cabinetC, a swinging door 31 is preferably provided in one of the side walls 27, saiddoor 31 preferably having suitable locking mechanism therefor 7 (not shown).

The dispensing mechanism D preferably embodies a pipelinel35 within which upper and lower v'alves 36 an d'37 respectively are operably disposechand means 37 for opera tion of said valves for the proper dispensing of the liquid from the container B The pipe line '35 preferably includes a fitting 36 which has an attaching disc 37 upwardly thereon for connection to the lower surface of the container bottom 17, so that the way 38 of the pipe or fitting 36 is in axial communication with thelopening 39 of a mmberlO which is carried in the opening 18 of the container bottom 17. A gasket 41 may be used between the disc or coupling 37 a and the bottom 17. A foraminous screen member 42 is preferably mounted over the opening 39 and inwardly the chamber of the container B, for straining seeds, or other foreign materials from the liquid as it flows into the way "38 ot' the pipe 36*. A cylindrical shaped easing 43 is provided as a part of the pipe line 35, defining a compartment 4%1 therein adapted to receive theproper quantity of liquid prior to its final'dispensing." Valve casings'iii and v!;6 are provided, detacha bly connected at the top and bottom of the pas iug l3, in proper screw threaded openings thereof; said casings and 4;6 being provided to respectively receive the upper and lower valves 36 and 37 ,therein.

The valves and valve casings are provided with novel ports and ways therein and connected by the operating means 37 for synchronous movement through one or more revolutions to open one of said yalves when the other is closed. The valve casings t5 and a6 are thus provided with ways 4:8 nd 4 ieene ve th re m hi h lea lherethrqugh in parallel relation laterally of the axis thereof. Thecylindrical shaped valve seat ports and 51 are respectively provided in the casings {l5 and 46, arranged therein so that the waysfl-S and are disea in ta entia in r e ti g ream with said valve seats56 and -51 respectively. The valves 36 and 37 are respectively proarrangement, which is illustrated in Figure 41, will permit entrance .of liquid from the container B downwardly through the pipe line 35 into the compartment 4A; of the casing 43, and the liquid is prevented from final dispensing from the compartment 44 i by reason of the interposition of the valve 37 across the way .49. It is to be noted that the transverse dimension of ,the"w ayf18 is only about one-third of "the diameterof the valve seat 50, andthese dimensions :hold good with respect to the .valve seat 51 and its'way 49. Similarly the transversedimension of the ports in the valvesare only approximately one-third of the diameter of said valves. Such novel arrangement of valve ports and ways will permit the port of one valve to be entirelyclosed with respect to the way of its valve casing before the portof the other valve is open in the way'of its casing as to permit liquid to flow through said way.

Referring to the operating mechanism 37, the same includes a .shaft 60 arranged upon a horizontal axis, and bearing at one end in the front wall 25 oft-he cabinet C,

and at its other end in a stub extension 62 connected to the side of the compartment casing 413. A relatively large gear wheel 65 is detachably and slidably mounted upon the shaft 60, as by a set screw 66, adjacent the container or casing 43, and is normally in meshing relation with the relatively smaller operating gears 67 and 68 which are respectively connected to the outwardly extending shanks 69 and 70 of the valves 36 and 37. The ratio of the gear 65 with respect to the gears 67 and 68 is such that a quarter turn of the gear 65' will result in. a half revolution of each of the gears 67 and 68 in order to operate the valves 36 and 37. The pitch diameter of each of the gears 67 and 68 is therefore twice the pitch diameter of the gear 65 At the outer end, exterior of the cabinet C, the shaft ,60 is preferably provided with an operating crank armor lever 71. A spiral spring 72 is preferably wound about the shaft" 60, within the cabinet C,ene end of same being connected, at 72 to the front wall of the cabinet C, and the other end of which is a tach t h Shaf .6 a by ive 7 The spring 72 normally maintains the lever 71 and the shaft 60 in such relationhthat theiupper valve 36 is normally opened and ov v l 3 i 11 ma y clo ed, as p r mitting' the filling of the dispensing co1npipe 77, connected as by a coupling 78 to the lower end of the valve casing 46; said pipe 77 inclining downwardly from the connection with the coupling 78 and extending through the front wall 25 of the container, having a suitable nozzle 80 exterior of the cabinet C. A foraminous basket 82 is preferably supported as by a bracket 83 below the outlet opening of the nozzle 80, adapted to receive a glass or other receptacle 84 to receive the liquid as it is dispensed from the nozzle 80.

As is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, an arcuate slot 85 is struck in the front wall 25, with the axis of the shaft 60 as a center, and into which slot a portion of the lever 70 extends, and which limits the amplitude of operation of the lever 71 to Suitable coin controlling mechanism (not shown) may be used in connection with the operating lever or crank 71, substantially as is illustrated in my copending application above referred to.

Referring to the operation of this invention, as is illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings the valve 36 is normally open so that its port 52 aligns with the way 48 and permits liquid to enter the compartment 44 from the container B; the valve 37 having its port 53 out of communication with the way 49 so that the liquid is retained in the dispensing compartment 44. When the coin has been properly applied in the vending machine, the crank 71 may beturned to an angle of 90, into substantially the dotted position illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. This will turn the gear wheel 65 for a quarter revolution and its meshing gears 67 and 68 for a half revolution, so that the valves 36 and 37 are operated through one half of a revolution; so that the port 52 of valve 36 moves out of communication with its way 48, and the port 53 of the valve 37 moves into direct alignment with the way 49 to permit the liquid in the compartment 44 to be dispensed through the pipe line 35 and into the tumbler 84, as is "obvious. Incident to the peculiar. arrangement of valve ports and ways in the valve casings therefor, the valves synchronize in action, so that one of them is entirely closed when the other is about to open. The fact that the gear wheel is slidable upon the shaft 60 permits a ready detachment of valves, gear, and parts of the pipe line 35, to permit sterilization or inspection of the parts of the dispensing mechanism D.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the claims.

Iclai m:

1. In a structure of, the character described, a. conduit having valve housings provided therein in spaced relation to each other longitudinally of the conduit, rotary valves in the valve housing extending transversely of the housings and conduit and having stems extending externally of the housings, a rotary drive shaft, a mounting for one end of said shaft carried by said conduit midway of said valve stems and extending radially from said conduit, a gear secured upon said shaft, and smaller gears secured upon the outer end portions of said valve stems and meshing with the first mentioned gear at opposite sides thereof.

2. In a structure of the character described, a conduit having valve housings provided therein in spaced relation to each other longitudinally of the conduit, rotary valves in the valve housing extending transversely of the housings and conduit and having stems extending externally of the housings, a rotatably mounted drive shaft extending radially of the conduit from a point midway of said valve stems, a gear secured upon said drive shaft between the valve stems, and gear secured upon the valve stems and meshing with the first mentioned gear upon opposite sides thereof whereby said valves may be simultaneously adjusted when said shaft is rotated.

3. In a dispensing mechanism, a pipe line having a compartment intermediate its length and coupling members connecting the compartment with pipes of the pipe line, each coupling member having a hollow body constituting a valve housing and being inwardly thickened from one side intermediate its length to provide a passage having a reduced off set portion intermediate its length, valve members extending transversely through the inwardly thickened portions of the valve housings and rotatable therein, the valve members each having a transversely extending side groove movable into and out of registry with the reduced off set portion of the passage when the valve member is rotated, and means for simultaneously imparting rotary movement to the valve members with one rotating towards an open position when the other is rotating towards a closed position.

4. In a dispensing mechanism the com bination of a pipe line having a compartment therein, valves having ports therein,

means mounting said valves 'on opposlte sides of the compartment of said pipe line so that the ports thereof are eccentrically disposed with respect to the passageway of said pipe line, and means connecting said valves for synchronous movement whereby one of said valves is entirely closed before the other valve starts to open, said valves being operable through 180 to effect entire opening of one and closing of the other.

5. In a dispensing'inechanism the combination of a pipe line providing acornpartment therein, pipe line on opposite sides of said compartment having eccentric passageways communicating with the compartinent, said pipe line on opposite sides of said compartment providing valve seats therein arranged so that the passageways are tangentially disposed With respect to said valve seats, and valves operating in said valve seats having ports therein.

CLAYTON I). BEAVER. 

